Weekly Schedule 5/9/2022 — Reconnecting To Essentials
THIS WEEK IS DONATION WEEK! Sign up for class to have your class fee donated to our 2022 organization.
With the intention of gathering strength for the new generation of the Black community, our donation class recipient organization for 2022 is Third Street Youth Center and Clinic. Please read more about this clinic and the variety of programs they offer San Francisco youth between 12-24 years old: https://3rdstyouth.org
We donate 100% of class fees from classes attended the second week of every month to the annual organization. We also encourage you to make your own donation directly if you are able.
Week 113 - Happy Mother's Day to all, whether you're a birthing-person, the cornerstone in someone's circle of care, or that individual on the periphery -- you're more essential than you think. Thank you!
This week has been difficult for many of us with the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion on overturning Roe v. Wade. To help shake off the shock, head over to The San Francisco Standard to find guidance and next steps to regain your sense of agency.
For a little more context into how we got here in the first place, here are some other resources:
Black women in the South have been bracing for Roe’s fall for decades
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/black-women-south-bracing-roes-fall-decades-rcna27097
Democratic Leaders Are Getting the Abortion Story Wrong — Again
https://www.thecut.com/2022/05/roe-v-wade-abortion-democrats.html
My So-Called Selfish Life review – ‘childfree’ women beat at the gates of an old taboo [film review]
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/may/03/my-so-called-selfish-life-review-childfree-women-taboo-children?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1
Regaining our sense of agency is a thread we find weaving the different aspects of our life together. The definition presented by James W. Moore in his Frontiers of Psychology article from 2016:
When we make voluntary actions we tend not to feel as though they simply happen to us, instead we feel as though we are in charge. The sense of agency refers to this feeling of being in the driving seat when it comes to our actions.
Feeling out of control at times is VERY COMMON, and I think many of us have felt strongly over the last 2+ years that our actions no longer seem to have the impact that they once did, whether this is due to COVID-19, injury, and/or personal loss. Taking incremental steps toward regaining a sense of control -- particularly during times of stress -- is imperative yet often seems insurmountable. Throughout these times in our lives we've all figured out ways to cope: writing lists, cleaning the house, taking a walk, calling a friend or consulting a trusted resource. Anything that helps us break down larger tasks into manageable bites can help us regain a sense that what we do matters.
I loved reading this article by Amanda Mull at The Atlantic, What The Fitness Industry Doesn't Understand. She discusses the seemly small, but often insurmountable step of where to begin if you have zero previous fitness experience. I hear you saying to yourself:
Harriet, you begin at the beginning.
And you're right. But what constitutes the beginning? As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of connecting to the essentials of exercise, no matter what your previous experience. Things like breathing, visualization and imagery ("imaginary exercise"), and working more internally to be present with the sensation in the body. The types of exercise that makes you wonder, why am I here, and why are we doing this?
We often ask those questions in times when we're feeling strong, fit, and able. When you're performing at your best, the beginning might feel too basic. So, if you're not at the beginning now these tools can help you assist others in regaining their sense of agency while bringing focused intention to your workouts. Ultimately, you never know when you're going to have to start over and get back to essentials.
Here’s what’s on the schedule this week:
Monday, 5/9/2022
IN-PERSON GYROTONIC® Pulley Tower Class
A 50-minute group equipment class series exploring Gyrotonic exercise on the Pulley Tower. Space for four (4) individuals. Curious about this movement system? This is a great class to learn more.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=11540424
9:30am PST - Tuesday, 5/10/2022:
ONLINE Pilates Mat (Mixed Level)
May's focus is pelvic stability using the small ball (about 9") and resistance band or loop band (medium resistance). Video available if you can't attend live.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=13574506
9:30am PST - Thursday, 5/12/2022:
ONLINE Balance and Flow GYROKINESIS®
Keep those two (2) yoga straps, and break out the long foam roller! Our focus for May is building on our shoulder mobility work from April, and connecting the pelvis to the arms.
Focusing on the ability of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® to increase circulation, mobilize and strengthen joints, and increase proprioceptive awareness, this Zoom class prepares the body for more confidence in standing balance work. Video available if you can't attend live.
Sign-up: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16934439&appointmentType=13778332
Lastly, meet our new studio renter, Kristin Neidlinger!
Kristin is a Master Instructor of Pilates Rehabilitation techniques. With over 20 years of experience, she is Certified in Rehabilitation Pilates and Osteoporosis Pilates, with a specialty in neuropathies. Also, as a Certified Massage Therapist - Somatic Educator (CMT-SE) she incorporates yoga, breathing, chi, and energy techniques into the alchemy of movement. In San Francisco, she has worked as a Dance Medicine Specialist at St. Francis Hospital, 2005-2007, as well as alongside many chiropractic and physical therapy offices. She was a classically trained ballerina, and modern dancer who discovered Pilates through dance injury rehabilitation and found the body-mind connection to not only heal, but increase strength and agility. She holds a BFA in Kinetic Design, a MFA in Interactive Design, and is currently finishing a PhD in eHealth and wearable technology.
Kristin will be generally be in the studio Tuesday and Thursday morning. Please join me in welcoming her to our space for the summer.
Looking forward to seeing you online and in-person this week! Until then, breathe deeply, get your booster, stay socially distant, healthy and sane.
Warmly,
Harriet
2022 FOCUS: Firmly deciding, after reducing an abstract problem into its components, to proceed on a journey toward harmony.
Read the first email of 2022 here to understand how this became our resolution for 2022.
